ADA Policy

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA is civil rights legislation which requires that persons with disabilities receive transportation services equal to those available on the fixed route service.

It is the policy of Garfield County Transportation Authority, herein after call “CTA”, that, when viewed in their entirety, services, programs, facilities, and communications provided by CTA, directly or by a contracted service provider, are readily accessible and usable to individuals with disabilities to the maximum extent possible. (49. CFR 37.105)

1. Donations

Fares for riding CTA vehicles are by donation

**Reservations must be made no later than 4:00pm the previous day for trips outside Garfield County***

2. Holiday Closures

The CTA will be closed on the following nationally recognized holidays:

New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day. (If the holiday falls on a Saturday, it will be taken on the previous Friday. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, it will be taken on the following Monday.)

The CTA will be closed on the day after Thanksgiving Day.

3. Approved Equipment

Passengers will be transported provided the lift can physically accommodate them, unless doing so is inconsistent with legitimate safety requirements. The CTA can accommodate mobility devices that meet the following minimum standards:

Wheelchair means a mobility aid belonging to any class of three- or more-wheeled devices, usable indoors, designed or modified for and used by individuals with mobility impairments, whether operated manually or powered.

The combined weight of the mobility device and rider shall not exceed the manufacturer’s certified lifting capacity of the lifts on CTA vehicles. Since the lift capacity may vary between vehicles it is recommended that the person making the reservation for transportation know the combined weight. (CTA vehicles can only accommodate up to 600 lb. combined weight.)

Equipment must be in good working order, with batteries charged, tires inflated, footrests attached, and all parts secure. (49 CFR 37.3)

The mobility device shall not be of sufficient dimensions to obstruct the ability of riders to enter or exit the vehicle safely

4. Mobility Device Brakes

When occupying a lift or securement area, it is recommended that passengers apply the brakes on their mobility devices; however, they are not required to do so. With power chairs or scooters, it is recommended that the power switch be turned to the “off” position. Again, this is not mandatory.

5. Portable Oxygen Use

Individuals with disabilities who use portable oxygen devices are allowed to travel with respirators and properly secured portable oxygen supplies. Oxygen supplies must not obstruct the aisle. (49 CFR 37.167(h))

6. Securement Policy

Operators will use 4 point front and rear tie-downs to secure mobility devices. Operators will secure mobility devices at the strongest parts of the device; however, the passenger can indicate the most optimal tie-down spot. The mobility device will be secured front facing. Drivers will assist passengers with securement systems, ramps, and seatbelts; however, drivers cannot assist riders using power chairs or scooters with the operation of their equipment. CTA requires all mobility devices to be secured prior to transport.

A Personal Care Attendant (PCA) may ride with you at no charge. A PCA is someone who travels with, and helps, a rider who is not able to travel alone. You must provide your own PCA if you need one. Please let us know when scheduling your ride whether or not you will be using a PCA. This information will guarantee a place for him or her to ride with you.

Guests and companions may ride with you. A companion is anyone who rides with you who is not designated as your PCA. (49 CFR 37 (d))

9. Service Animals

A service animal is any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. In order to ride in CTA vehicles:

The animal must be on a leash or in a container, remain under control of the owner, and behave appropriately

Birds, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and cats must be kept in an enclosed carrier/container

The animal must remain at your feet or on your lap. It may not sit on a vehicle seat.

The animal must not be aggressive toward people or other animals. (49 CFR 37.167 (d))

10. Boarding Assistance

Operators shall position the bus to make boarding and de-boarding as easy as possible for everyone, minimize the slope of the ramp. Bus operators shall provide assistance to passengers upon request. Passengers with disabilities shall be allowed adequate time to board and disembark the vehicle.

11. Maintenance of Lifts

Bus operators must test the lift during the pre-trip inspection. Break down of accessibility equipment must be reported immediately to dispatch. A vehicle with an inoperable lift must be removed from service as soon as possible and cannot be returned to service until repaired. If there is a lift failure, a replacement vehicle must be dispatched if the next trip to the destination of any passenger using a mobility device is scheduled in more than 30 minutes. If the next trip to the destination of any passenger using a mobility device is scheduled in 30 minutes or less, a replacement vehicle may be dispatched if available. (49.CFR 37.163)

12. Priority Seating

Upon request, bus operators shall ask – but not require – passengers to yield priority seating at the front of the bus to seniors and persons with disabilities. Drivers are not required to enforce the priority seating designation beyond making such a request.

13. Reserved Seating

Mobility device securement areas on buses are reserved. Passengers using common mobility aids shall be boarded if the securement areas are not otherwise occupied by a mobility device, regardless of the number of passengers on the bus. Bus operators are required to ask passengers sitting in the securement areas to move to other available seats.

A rider’s privileges may be suspended for any of the following infractions that occur within any CTA vehicles, bus stops, stations or facilities:

Smoking or carrying a lit pipe, cigar, or cigarette (unless in a designated smoking area).

Discarding or dumping litter in places other than the recognized receptacles.

Consuming alcoholic beverages or in procession of alcoholic beverages.

Loud, raucous, unruly, harmful, or harassing behavior.

Engaging in other conduct that is inconsistent with the intended purpose of the transit facility or vehicle. (RCW 9.91.025)

No shows or late cancellations

17. Riders responsibility

To use the CTA, there must be no barriers present when the vehicle arrives. Example of barriers are: bushes or trees (that may scratch our buses or make turning around impossible); driveways (paved or gravel) that are too steep; and too many cars in the driveway to turn around. It is very important that our vehicles have sufficient room to turn-around. If it is determined that we do not have sufficient room for our buses, you will be responsible for getting yourself to a designated pick-up area. It is our mission to provide you with safe, efficient, and friendly transportation services, but is also of great importance that we do not damage our vehicles in the process.

18. Complaints and Grievances:

Questions, concerns, suggestions or requests related to issues covered by the ADA must be brought to the attention of the Coordinator of Operations for transportation issues.

Contact may be made in writing to: Garfield County Transportation Authority, P.O. Box 23, 695 Main Street Pomeroy, WA 99347; or by telephoning 1-509-843-0200 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday or by email to randerson@co.garfield.wa.us for transportation issues.

Complaints regarding improper denial of rights under the ADA by the CTA should be submitted as per the following grievance procedure:

1) Submit complaints regarding access or discrimination in writing to the CTA for resolution. A record of the complaints and action taken will be maintained. A decision will be rendered within ten (10) working days.

2) If the complaint cannot be resolved to your satisfaction by the CTA, it will be forwarded to the Board of Directors for consideration. The Board will be directed to hear such complaints in public, after adequate public notice, in an unbiased, objective manner and to make a written decision within 30 days of the notification. Proceedings of the committee shall be recorded and maintained. The decision of the Board of Directors is final.

3) A record of action taken on each request or complaint must be maintained as a part of the records or minutes at each level of the grievance process.

4) Your right to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint must not be impaired by your pursuit of other remedies, such as filing a complaint with the Washington State Department of Transportation or other appropriate federal agency. Use of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.